Electric switch



Tan. 24, 192s. 1,657,337

C. E. ANDERSON ELECTRIC swITH Filed Sept. 25. 1924 q2, M11/fm 2 v x ai" l s 3 39 INVENTORY lf3# 9 48 3c CHQ E. @Nasen/v HY n. v M

,M ATTORNEYS. s4, 35 4r Patented `Ian. 24, 1928. y

UNITED STATES;

PATENT oFFieE.

CARL ERIC ANDERSON, OF STRATFORD,. CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNORL '110 THE BRYANT BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF G01N` ELECTRIC sWITcH.

Application led. September 25, 1924. Ser-iai No. 739,891'.

My invention relates to electric switches, and particularly te rotary snap switches; rllhe object of my invent-ion is to provide an improved handle and actuating connection between the handle and the switch spindle.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a. broken side elevation: of a rotary snap switch to which my invention 1s applied in one form; y y y Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the switch handle detached from the spindle and drawn to a largerl scale;

Fig. 3 is a broken inverted `plan of the switch handle and the portion ot the switch spindle shown in Fig. 2; y

Fig. 4 is a partial section on the line 4-4, Fig. 3;

ig. 5 is a partial section onthe line 5 5, Fig. 2, showing'r the handle 1n position on the spindle; and

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the handle and certain of its associated elements.

The present invention is particularly apl'icable to a rotary snap switch having a lliandle of the. indicating type which must bear a predeterminedl angular relationship to the switch spindle and to indicating legends, ordinarily formed on the top ot the switch cover. I have employed this type of switch to illustrate the invention, although the latter is not thus limited in` its utility;

The switch comprises an insulating base 10 from which rises the rotary switch spinde 11, which actuates the switchl blades 12. Cooperating stationary contacts (not shown) are enclosed by the switch cover 13 on the upper surface 14 of which are formed legends with which, in the several positions oi" the switch, the indicating pointer lct the switch handle 16 registers. Rigid with the switch blades 12 is a driving lug 17 embraced by the offset opposite ends of the coil spring 18. Also engaged between the ends oit the spring is a. lug 19 rigid with the spindle 11 and serving to tension the vspring on the rotation of the spindle 11 while-` the switch blades 12 aretemporarily detained by an escapement mechanism (not shown).

The upper end of the switch spindle 11 passes through an aperture 20 in the cover and is threaded at 21 for attachment to the switch handle. The drive connection between the handle and spindle is eilected,

howeveiglby'a dog.- 22 otl'set from the washer 23 and resting lagainst the shoulder 24 on the spindle; The tl'ireaded"` end 21 of the.' spindle is sheare'd to form l'ats 25, to which7 the aperture in the washer 23 is shaped, andj the dog 22 thus held; against rotation. with' respect to the spindle;V The washer is clamped` against the shoulderA 24 hy' ai nut' 26, with interposed washer 27 having. lugs 28 adapted to` be" bent up against facetsV of the nut to lock the latter in clamping position..

The handle 16 is recessed from its Vlower face to afford a' well 294 wit-ira lateral bay 30 and annular channel- 31". Arranged with'-A in the well'l29V is a Ulshaped frame 32, the legs of which extend the full' depth o1` thel well and are provided, intermediate their ends, withv laterallyextendinglugs 33 which,` in the inserted position of the frame, reg-ister with the channel 31. Also extending into the wellY and accommodated within tlie frame` 32 isa errule 34 tapped to engage the threaded end'21` ofthe spindle. Swaged on thehead of the ferrule is a. washer 35 provided witlia finger 36 adapted to* enter and playlongitudinally inthe bay 3d while holding the `ferrule against' rotation with respect to the body of the handle; Interpo'sed' between the: frame 32' and theV errule 34`is l afcoil spring 37" which abuts ,at one end against' t'helwasher35i and at itsfoppositeend against' a spreader disc 38. The# lattere'ngages the free ends oft the frame32 'and spreads thela-tter against the sides' of `the well to engage the lugsw32 in they channel 31, thus locking the frame to the handle body.

A plate 39 against which the disc 38 is thrust by the spring 37, lies against the inner face of the handle and is provided with lugs 40 and 41 at its opposite margins, the lug 40 taking into the hay 30, and the lug 41 taking into a shallow recess 42 to hold the plate against rotation with respect to the handle. Its central aperture 43 guides the ierrule 34, which is free to slide therethrough, and also accommodates the legs of the frame 32. A bearing washer 44, preferably of paper, is interposed between the plate 39 and the top of the cover upon which it rests. The washer is also pierced at 45 to accommodate the legs of the frame 32 which and plate 39 in position.

The drive connection between `the handle and the spindle is elected through'the dog 22 fast with the spindle. To receirefthe` ment between the Spindle and the 'terrule' 34 before the end of the dog Qlbears against the lower face of the washer `Al-ll. ln order to screw the handle down upon the spindle, however, it is necessary to dran' the handle ont-ward against the action oi" thespring 3T to maintain a clearance between the dog and the Washer 44 While the handle is rotated to turn the ferrule 34; down nponi `the sindle. Upon the release el the handle, tlie spring 37 it'orces the handledown on the spindle and causes the dog Q2 to enter the ocket 49. i i i Tiie construction not only altords a rugged drive connection between the handle and the spindle, but also permits longitudinal, adw justlnent of the handle on the spindle,` since thedogQZ is of sufficient length, andthe Jooket 49 in the` handle body is of suilicient ept-h to insure a properdrive connection to` be established Wheinthe errul hasbeen screwed down only partially npon the threaded end of thespindle.

The construction is simple "to manufacture and assemble and is eiiieient in operation. Various modifications Will readily occur to those dealing with `the problem `Without departing from what I claim as my invention.

l, An operating handle :tor a v rotary switch comprising a body recessed to forni a Well With lateral ohanne1,"a U-shaped frame arranged in said well and provided withf laterally extending lugs adaptedfto to enter said channel, means at theA open end of the frame for spreading the latter to hold said frame ings in the channel and thus lock the traine in the Well, a serew ferrule floating Within the frame but held against rotationn'ith respect to the handle, spring nieans opposing the floating displaceinentof the vierrule `in the frame, a Vbearincrwasher below the handle, the iree ends of being oilset to engage said washer and to hold the trainespreader in position.

2. A switchhandle for use with a spindle having an eccentric driving dog fast there with, said handle comprising a body recessed to torni a well, a loating spring-` operated ferrule mounted in said well and adapted :tor si-rew connection with the spindle, a metal plate at the month ot the Well, said `plate being apertined to permit. the spindle and its driving dog to pass freely theretlnongh, means for holding said plate against rotation with respect to the handle, and means tor securing said plate and terrulc to the handle. u i

23. In an electric switch, i an operating handle comprising a body recessed to ltorni a Well With longitudinally extending hay and circuinferentially yextending channel, "a U-shaped traine iitting in said Well and han ing lugs adapted to enter said channel to lock the traine against displacement, a tapped ierrule lying Within the traine and having a laterally extending lug playing in said hay to hold the lerrnle against rotation with resp-ect to said body, a coil spring abutting at one end against the head of the fel-rule, an abutment for the opposite end of the spring through which abutment the errnle freely; passes, said alimtnient also serving to hold the 'frame in locked engage ment with the handle body, l and frame means `tor `holding said abutment against displacement. v la In testimony whereof I have signed my naine to this speci fication,

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